The ramblings of the 51 year old Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church of Detroit.
Piety Hill refers to the old name for our neighborhood. The neighborhood has changed a great deal in the over 150 years we have been on this corner (but not our traditional biblical theology) and it is now known for the neighboring theatres, the professional baseball and football stadiums and new hockey/basketball arena.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Great news for Detroit and Detroit Police!

The DPD Mounted Unit is back!!! I was their chaplain when an administration who wouldn't know police work if it snuck up on them and bit them!

I will have to stop by tomorrow when I drop the boys off at rowing to see the new digs!

---------------------

June 25, 2009Mounted Patrol back in Detroit after 4-year absence

BY NICQUEL TERRY

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

D'wayne Stewart of Eastpointe felt a sense of warmth from Detroit police on Wednesday as he camped out on Belle Isle with his family for the 51st annual Target Fireworks.Stewart, 32, said he was pleased to see officers riding horses across the island -- something he hadn't witnessed since his childhood."I loved it and would like to see more of it," Stewart said. "It makes the police seem more accessible."The Detroit Police Department resumed limited use of the Mounted Patrol on Wednesday after a 4-year absence.The Detroit Police Foundation provided money for the Mounted Patrol operations to return, though the foundation declined to say how much money was involved. The donations are to cover the costs of food, equipment and medical supplies for Mounted Patrol horses.The Mounted Patrol -- which includes two sergeants, four police officers and three American quarter horses named Almo, Sunny and Cochise -- is to work events on Belle Isle and along the RiverWalk.Mounted Patrol Sgt. Eric Eide said the department hopes the community will view police in a more positive light when they're on horses."I believe it's the most versatile tool in the whole department," Eide said.On horses "you're highly visible. ... While kids are petting the horse, you can also be deterring crime."Eide said horses are also more cost efficient than police cars, and they can maneuver through crowds quicker.Howard Robinson, who set up a picnic for his family Wednesday morning on Belle Isle, said his children were thrilled when the horses passed by."I feel more comfortable with the police on horses," said Robinson, 56, of Detroit. "If you need assistance, they are right there."Contact NICQUEL TERRY: 313-222-8774 or nterry@freepress.com